Ilana Engelbrecht

Ilana was brought up in and around South Africa’s national parks, where early and sustained exposure to protected ecosystems shaped her interest in conservation biology. These formative experiences instilled a strong curiosity about ecological processes and a lasting interest in avian species.

She is currently a student in the Conservation Biology MSc programme, where her academic interests centre on avian ecology and conservation. Ilana is especially interested in seabird ecology and in understanding how environmental change, including urbanisation and climate dynamics, influences bird populations and their habitats.

Ilana has gained field-based research experience through bird monitoring and ecological fieldwork and is a permitted bird ringer with SAFRING. Alongside her academic pursuits, she is involved in applied conservation work focused on the rehabilitation and management of urban wildlife, contributing practical insights into human–wildlife interactions in urban environments.

Through the MSc programme, Ilana looks forward to further developing her research and analytical skills, collaborating with fellow students and researchers, and contributing to conservation-focused research that supports the long-term protection of avian species in a changing environment.